It’s no secret that the senior-laden Pam Pack are one of the most feared 2-A soccer teams in eastern North Carolina, barreling through most of their nonconference schedule, including a five-goal win over J.H. Rose last month. With each game, undefeated Washington seems to be improving across the board, especially on defense, where most preseason hesitations have been addressed just seven games in.

On Thursday at Choppy Wagner Stadium, the Pam Pack matched up against Greene Central, a challenging defensive team out of the Eastern Carolina Conference that offered the first solid 2-A test of the season, a test the host passed with flying colors. Working off the technical skill of its midfield, Washington put away the Rams, 7-0, to remain unbeaten.

“To be honest, the past few teams haven’t challenged us entirely throughout the game,” head coach Jim Kozuch said after the game. “Tonight’s team came out, played well and they’re a good squad with a solid midfield. They challenged our midfield for a little while and it was good to see better competition.”

Even against a viable defense, Washington strung together 34 shots, but just 11 required saves from Rams goalie Nelson Mdrigal. Shot accuracy, as well as selection, continues to be a focal point in practice for Kozuch, though not necessarily an issue.

“It is and it isn’t,” Kozuch said. “It’s just taking smarter shots because a lot of the shots we had weren’t great. Once we figured out the better shots, and we will, the percentages will be better.”

Striker Kyle Hodges, attacking midfielder Freddy Jimenez and defender Holt McKeithan notched two goals apiece, one in each half, while Jose Gamboa scored the final goal of the contest. Greene Central, entering with a 2-2 record, finished with nine total shots, five that required saves from keeper William Tate.

The Pam Pack came out sluggish to start the game, as establishing a rhythm on offense proved difficult early. But eventually, the inconsistent passing and lack of communication in the center of the field gave way to cohesion, which resulted in opportunities. Thirteen minutes in, Jimenez hit a hooking cross diagonally up field towards a sprinting Hodges, who corralled the pass, shook off two defenders and hit a left-footed shot to the right of the keeper, giving Washington a 1-0 lead.

Five minutes later, the Pam Pack capitalized again. Senior Miguel Hernandez hit a perfect corner to the middle of the box. Holt McKeithan elevated and redirected a perfect header in the top-right corner for the second goal.

The third and final goal of the half came with 11 minutes to go, as center midfielder Erik Ruiz hit a through ball up field to Jimenez, who shuffled past two defenders and hit a hard shot on the ground to the left of the goalie. Washington held a 3-0 lead at the half, recording 20 first-half shots to Greene Central’s three.

“I definitely think that we controlled the possession and 90 percent of the opportunities were ours tonight,” Kozuch said of his offense. “We definitely have a lot to work on as far as finishing and controlling the ball at the beginning of the game. Later on down the road we’ll come across someone who will be just as good as us and will be able to control the field.”

The Pam Pack scored two quick goals in the first four minutes of the second half — both generated by strong throw-ins from Ben McKeithan. The first came 45 seconds after the break, as Hodges back-headed the throw just above the keeper. The second throw hit Hodges’ head again, but this time the ricochet found the right foot of Jimenez, who easily tapped in a goal.

Greene Central had its fair share of opportunities as the half progressed, at one point recording three-straight shots, but a Washington goal with 14 minutes remaining ended the threat. Ben McKeithan hurled a 40-yard throw to his brother Holt, who elevated once again and hit another perfect header to the right corner, putting the Pam Pack up 6-0. Three goals generated by Ben McKeithan throw-ins.

“Ben has definitely earned his keep,” Kozuch said. “I had a feeling last year he’d be a good fit and so far he’s playing really well … Him and his brother are definitely solid guys for that spot, but we’re still trying to find that perfect combination back there.”

Three minutes after the sixth goal, Hodges found a gap in the defense and laid a perfect ball to Jose Gamboa. The junior midfielder slid across the grass and connected for a goal, his second of the season.

With the win, Washington improves to 7-0 and will rematch Greene Central in Snow Hill on Monday, before traveling to Kill Devil Kills on Wednesday to take on First Flight.